History maker! Aaliyah’s a female first in union scratch league

Aaliyah Hryniewiecka-Irwin’s name will be forever etched into Halifax, Huddersfield and District Union lore after she became the first female player to compete in its scratch league.

The 16-year-old recently turned out for Crosland Heath in their division one fixture at Hanging Heaton, in Dewsbury, and won her match 2&1.

Aaliyah, who first picked up a club at three-years-old and plays off scratch, competed after the union changed its rules to allow male and female golfers to compete together in its competitions.

The teenager said she was asked to play by Crosland Heath general manager, Toby Garrett, and played a starring role even as her club lost 5-3 overall.

“My club are very supportive of juniors – with schemes like Get Into Golf – and making sure they are enjoying it,” Aaliyah said.

“I’ve played with Toby quite often. He helps and encourages me and he’s captain of the scratch team.

“He asked if I’d like to play and I thought it was something new and a good experience to play with good male golfers.

“The day before I was so nervous because I wanted to do well – like any golfer would. Then I hit my first shot and I just relaxed into it and my opponent was lovely so that settled my nerves down as well.

“I play off the red tees but you play it like a match play Stableford. So if his par is five and mine is a four and we both get five, he wins the hole.

“I was just thrilled. I didn’t really think I was going to do it, to be honest, but my game has been good and it’s in a strong place.”

Aaliyah represented Yorkshire recently at the annual County Match Week before heading off to the finals of the National Schools Championship in Middlesex.

A busy summer calendar will also see her compete at the English Women’s Amateur Championship at Seaton Carew.

Frank Greaves, teams and coaching manager at Halifax, Huddersfield and District Union, said: “We have changed the rules for all our competitions. Crosland Heath have taken up the mantle and we are delighted a club like has taken up the rule change and used it.”

Now have your say

What do you make of Aaliyah’s historic achievement for Crosland Heath? Should more union’s open up their scratch events to men and women? You can let me know your thoughts by leaving me a comment on X.

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